Explore the natural world in Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s homeschool classes! Students ages 5-18 from the Western Pennsylvania homeschool community are invited to attend interactive, engaging sessions designed to complement homeschool science curriculums. Read on below to learn more about the schedule and descriptions of all our classes and to register your student today – classes fill up quickly!
2024-25 Homeschool Classes listed below meet at the museum on the following Mondays.
Session 1: Fall 2024 Dates
- October 7, 2024
- October 14, 2024
- October 21, 2024
- October 28, 2024
- November 4, 2024
Last day to register for Fall:
September 30, 2024
Session 2: Winter 2025 Dates
- January 27, 2025
- February 3, 2025
- February 10, 2025
- February 17, 2025
- February 24, 2025
Last day to register for Winter:
January 20, 2025
Session 3: Spring 2025 Dates
- March 31, 2025
- April 7, 2025
- April 14, 2025
- April 21, 2025
- April 28, 2025
Last day to register for Spring:
March 24, 2025
Enjoy a discount when you register for all three 2024-25 homeschool sessions! Add each session to the cart individually; the discount will be applied when all three sessions are added. The discount is only applied when signing up for the fall, winter, and spring sessions in a single transaction. The last day to register for the bundle discount is September 30.
Is your class sold out? Sign up for the waitlist.
Fall 2024 Classes
Tiny But Mighty
Ages 5-7
1:00-3:30 p.m.
Explore the world of critters and creatures that have mighty strength in a tiny body. Discover small animals that can survive in extremely cold temperatures, breathe through their skin, and even resist snake venom. Investigate the power of plants that starts with a tiny but mighty seed. Search the museum for critters small and strong.
Build It & Break It
Ages 8-10
1:00-3:30 p.m.
From anthills to wasp nests, animals have unique ways to create shelter. Undertake a habitat design challenge to replicate nature’s designs and see if your creations can withstand the same elements of their natural counterparts.
Behind The Walls
Ages 11-13
1:00-3:30 p.m.
Learn what goes on behind the scenes in a museum! From collection spaces to research labs, a lot happens behind these walls. Explore some of the museum’s hidden secrets and strange objects and create your own miniature exhibition.
Life Science 1
High School
9:00-11:30 a.m.
Delve into the study of patterns, processes, and relationships of living organisms in this Life Science series. In the fall session, learn about DNA structure and the essential functions of life systems using cell models and DNA extraction. Investigate the growth and development of organisms through cell cycles and the process of mitosis. Conduct hands-on experiments to understand energy flow in organisms.
Winter and Spring 2025 Classes
Classes for Ages 5-7
Please check back for full class descriptions in November.
Session 2 – Winter 2025
Session 3 – Spring 2025
Classes for Ages 8-10
Please check back for full class descriptions in November.
Session 2 – Winter 2025
Session 3 – Spring 2025
Classes for Ages 11-13
Please check back for full class descriptions in November.
Session 2 – Winter 2025
Session 3 – Spring 2025
Classes for High School Students
Please check back for full class descriptions in November.
Life Science 2 – Winter 2025
Life Science 3 – Spring 2025
For cancellations to a single session, participants are eligible for a full refund minus a $10 processing fee if canceling more than one week before the session begins. For cancellations made less than one week before the session starts, but before the second class in the session, participants are eligible for a refund minus a $10 processing fee and the pro-rated cost of the first class. No refunds will be issued after the second class meeting.
For cancellations to the three-session bundle, the above refund policy applies. If a bundle is cancelled after a participant completes a session, the participant will be charged the price of the attended session and will be refunded the price of the following session(s), minus a $10 processing fee.
Special note: The school year package savings apply per learner, not per family. It will be applied to the cost of one learner for all three sessions.
Inclement Weather Policy
For children’s programs scheduled to occur December through March, the following inclement weather policy will be used: Should hazardous conditions result in cancellation of classes, announcements will be made on local Pittsburgh television stations including KDKA, WTAE, WPXI, and FOX. Decisions are based on the needs of all students and instructors, some of whom drive considerable distances to Oakland. Makeup days may be scheduled for missed classes. During any inclement weather, please use your own discretion to attend for your own safety and that of your student.